My FLEXIBLE baby schedule that I used for both my daughter and son, 7 months old. Including feeding times, wake times and nap/sleep times.
Set yourself and your child for SUCCESS!
I am a big proponent of a "flexible daily routine/schedule". Children thrive on consistency. Giving them a predictable pattern of daily life makes them feel safe, reduces their fear of unexpected changes and unfamiliar expectations, and makes them feel happy and secure. A well-rested and well-nourished child and mother is the goal and what helped me raise happy children. A daily routine also helps to cultivate a peaceful home where everyone can help by knowing what the expectations of the day are at certain times. It can provide structure and give your family more freedom as they know when to schedule different things throughout the day, which I found especially helpful when I had my second child, with a toddler who wants to go to the park and be active. .
I've had success with these schedules, with my two children. Both very different babies were noticeably happier babies once we got into a good schedule/routine around 2 months of age.
Both my sons were on 5 hour night feeds at 5 weeks... 6-7 hours at 7 weeks... 8 hours at 8-10 weeks... and 12 hours at night at 14 weeks and went 12 am with everyone when they lay down in the crib.
They were fed, put in sleeping bags, trowels (e.gmy daughter used a 2-4 month old paci before she found sucking fingers. We introduced my son to paci when he was about 6 weeks old as he was much more anxious due to reflux when he was young)and placed them in the crib so that they would fall asleep on their own as soon as they were about to fall asleep, but would not put them to sleep completely by rocking or keeping them asleep.
I thought about it a lot, because in my opinion sleep is the main key to success. Rested children eat better and "play" better, which makes them happier, and thus - makes their lives easier! Both my kids slept really well once we established a routine. It was hard at first, but I resisted the temptation to have them sleep on top of me every nap, rock them to sleep in my arms every time, or use a motorized baby swing or anything else that might rock them to sleep (all with the occasional exception) so that they don't have to rely on these methods and develop positive sleeping habits from an early age... I don't believe in letting them scream either. If your child is upset and cries, my advice is to follow your heart and be there at such a young age. I followed this mindset with my two boys, who have very different temperaments, and I was able to get them both to eat, play, and sleep happily and easily.
I try to stick to a "feed, wake and sleep" routine!
A baby who is not well fed will not be able to wake up with quality as he will be hungry and grumpy. If the child does not wake up efficiently, he will not be able to go to bed, which will result in the child not being fully rested. If they're not rested, they don't have good feeding times because they fall asleep on the breast/bottle and don't latch efficiently...then they're not fed properly and the cycle goes on.
Remember, always follow your child's directions and eat/sleep as needed, even after hours if that's what your child needs (rapid growth, illness, etc.). Never deny them sleep or food if that's what they need! It's just a flexible routine. I also don't recommend waking a sleeping baby just to keep to a schedule. This means they are not fully rested and unable to eat efficiently resulting in good quality wake time which means they will not be getting quality sleep and the cycle goes on…generally. program.
Pamper yourself and your baby as they journey together on a new parenting journey. And don't forget to talk, sing, kiss and cuddle A LOT with your baby :) They need you.Ultimately, do what feels right for you and your baby. Here's what worked for me and my family, so I hope by sharing what we're doing it can help you and your family too!
Ultimately, do what feels right for you and your baby. Here's what worked for me and my family, so I hope by sharing what we're doing it can help you and your family too! You can adjust the hours accordingly if you want to get up earlier or later, just move the entire schedule up or down as needed.
For my daughter, I used the scheme of 5 feedings a day every 3-3.5 hours, and my son 4 feedings every 4 hours, who needed more for one feeding less often, so he ate more milk a day. . Below are their schedules that I followed.
Baby schedule: 7 months (4 meals/4 hours) 7 water NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up 08:30 9:00 - 10:30 / 11:00 Pn. MORNING NAP 11 hours NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up 00:00 4T/2oz wide stoffen 13:00 - 14:30/15:00 AFTERNOON NAP 03:00 NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up 17:00 4T/2oz wide stoffen 16:30/17:00 casual nap 19:00 NURSE/BOTTLE→ Cot 7:30 in the evening in the night Baby's schedule: 7 months (5 meals/3-3.5 hours) 7 water NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up 8:30 - 9:30/10:30 MORNING NAP 10:00/10:30 NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up 11 hours 2T/1oz solids 12/12:30 - 13:30/14:00 AFTERNOON NAP 13:30/14:00 NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up 3:45/4:00- 4:15/4:45 Cat's nap 4:30 in the afternoon 17:30/17:45 4T/2oz wide stoffen 19:00/19:15 NURSE/BOTTLE→ Cot 19:30/19:45 in the night *FEED4T/2oz wide stoffen NURSE/BOTTLE→ time to wake up
This was when I was breastfeeding or pumping and bottle feeding. I felt that breast milk is still the most important source of nutrition, so bottle feeding is more important than eating solid foods at this age. I followed a 5 times a day feeding schedule for my daughter and a 4 times a day feeding schedule for my son (both sons obviously stopped eating in the middle of the night at 10 weeks), 3-4 hours apart, with my two children that age (but always follow your child's directions!). I exclusively breastfed and introduced a (glass) bottle of expressed milk (about 4.5-5.5 ounces for my daughter and 5-6 ounces and 9-10 ounces at bedtime for my son who started drinking less when we introduced solids) breast milk, if necessary.
*EXTENSIVE
I introduced solid foods slowly when I was 6 months old. I made mash with my daughter and experimented with my son with a mix of mash and baby teats.Here are some of the first purees I fed my babies:Easy Homemade Baby Food Step 1
*KARCHY / DREAM
Naps last about 1-2.5 hours, 2 times a day, plus a nap for the cat,but always follow your baby's cues! They carried sleeping bags and could roll freely from side to side. At that age, they both turned over to fall asleep. In the crib I had enough paci for my son to turn over and put in his mouth if needed while my daughter sucked her fingers to calm herself down. The total of naps during the day was about 3 hours.Blackout curtains drawn and a sound machine with a night light on.
*TIME TO GET UP
I aim for a minimum of ~2-2.5 hours (including feeding time), but always follow your child's directions!
MY NEW BEST KIDS GUIDE
The notes, spreadsheets, and schedules below that I've compiled along the way are my best guides, which I hope you'll find useful (and share with your friends).From what to put in your hospital bag, to sleep schedules (so that it actually sleeps), simple recipes for feeding your baby their first solid food, or homemade clays to keep them entertained... I hope these resources help you prepare and guide them. on your parenting journey.
SOURCES FROM THE NEW KIDS GUIDE @THELINDSAYANN:
- {VIDEO} My story: If you want to know the background of my first child's pregnancy announcement and our infertility process
- - What you do and don't need for your new baby
- minimalist hospital bag(for newborn, mom and dad/couple): what you do and don't need for labour, delivery and recovery
- Revelation in kindergarten:
- Revelation in kindergarten:
- Final Baby Schedule List (2 Months - 2 Years): feeding, waking hours, naps and sleeping hours
- babysitter guide: Information to be left with the babysitter, babysitter, grandparents or guardian while you are away
- Easy Homemade Baby Food Step 1- Quick vegetable and fruit puree (green beans, butternut squash, sweet potato, carrots and more)
- Applesauce With Kale And Baby Spinach(Healthy Applesauce and Plant Foods for Babies and Toddlers)
- (NO refined sugar, no salt, no gluten + kale, broccoli, zucchini, carrots and more!)
- Good plasticine(simple homemade cake)
FAQs
What is a good schedule for a 7 month old? ›
A typical 7 month old's nap schedule should allow for 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep. Expect your baby to take 2 - 3 naps each day. Ideally, the first 2 (or only 2) naps of the day will be at least an hour long. For babies taking 3 naps, the last one is expected to be a shorter power nap of 30 - 45 minutes.
What should a 7 month old sleep schedule look like? ›Your 7-month-old should sleep about 14 hours a day, including two or three naps and nine to 11 hours at night. However, anywhere between 12 and 16 hours of sleep a day is considered normal.
How many night wakings should a 7 month old have? ›Night Wakings
All babies wake naturally during the night 2 to 6 times. Just like younger infants, some older infants wake during the night then return to sleep on their own, without crying and alerting the adults taking care of them.
Ages 4 months to 1 year.
You might aim to have your baby nap at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Let your baby nap for as long as he or she wants, unless your baby has difficulty falling asleep at night. If your baby is taking a third nap in the late afternoon, try to eliminate that nap around age 9 months.
Begin with two to three spoonfuls of soft and mashed food four times a day, which will give her the nutrients she needs without breastmilk. From 6–8 months old, she'll need half a cup of soft food four times a day, plus a healthy snack.
How to get 7 month old to sleep through the night without feeding? ›- Establish a bedtime routine.
- Teach your baby to self-soothe, which means trying your best to soothe them less.
- Start weaning the night feedings.
- Follow a schedule.
- Stick to an appropriate bedtime.
- Be patient.
- Check out our sleep tips!
7 - 9 months
Your baby will gradually move towards eating 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and tea). Offering a wide variety of different foods is important to ensure they get enough energy and nutrients (such as iron).
The real reasons that baby is waking every 2-3 hours at this age: Regression overlap, sleep crutches/associations, changing environments. Another reason your five to twelve month old baby may be waking up every 2-3 hours at night is due to him or her being overtired from the previous day.
How much should a 7 month weigh? ›| Baby age | Female 50th percentile weight | Male 50th percentile weight |
|---|---|---|
| 7 months | 16 lb 14 oz (7.6 kg) | 18 lb 5 oz (8.3 kg) |
| 8 months | 17 lb 8 oz (7.9 kg) | 18 lb 15 oz (8.6 kg) |
| 9 months | 18 lb 2 oz (8.2 kg) | 19 lb 10 oz (8.9 kg) |
| 10 months | 18 lb 11 oz (8.5 kg) | 20 lb 3 oz (9.2 kg) |
- Meet your baby's needs first. Before you assume that your baby is just cranky, review their list of needs. ...
- Set a schedule. Babies love routine. ...
- Use white noise. ...
- Stay close without picking them up. ...
- Try a pacifier. ...
- Wean them off feeding to sleep.
How long does 7 month old stay awake between naps? ›
After sleeping, your baby will eat and play during their wake window (the time a baby spends awake between naps during the day). At 7 months old, the average wake window is between two and three hours long.
Why is my baby waking up middle of night 7 months? ›It's quite usual for a seven-month-old to wake through the night. In fact, many babies continue to wake at night throughout the first year (Pennestri et al 2018). So you're not alone if your seven-month-old wakes at night. Although other babies may be starting to sleep through the night, it doesn't mean all babies do!
When should you stop holding baby for naps? ›So how do you know when it's time to stop allowing baby to fall asleep while you're holding them? “When babies start to intentionally smile at you—around 6 to 8 weeks—this is a sign that it's time to try to start having baby nap independently,” says Brown. At this stage, babies become more awake and social.
Should I let my 7 month old cry it out for naps? ›Even at 3 months, an age when some babies could start sleeping for longer stretches, letting them cry it out isn't recommended. It's best to wait until your baby is at least 4 months old before attempting any form of sleep training, including the CIO method.
Why does my 7 month old only take 20 minute naps? ›Many babies go through the 20-minute nap stage, and one of the main reasons it happens is down to overstimulation before nap time. With this in mind, eliminating this short nap should be relatively easy if all we need to do is work on winding down correctly before sleep, right?
Can 7 month old have eggs? ›You can introduce eggs to your baby around the same time you introduce solid foods, which is around 6 months old. In the beginning, however, you'll want to start with very soft or pureed foods (which can include whole grain infant cereals) before you progress to offering more textured foods.
Can you overfeed a 7 month baby solids? ›But what happens when your baby starts eating solid food: is it possible to overfeed him? The short answer is: yes, if you ignore his cues and are not offering the right foods. Here's some advice on how to prevent overfeeding your baby: Look out for cues and stop feeding your baby when he is full.
Can 7 month old have yogurt? ›You can introduce yogurt and cheese once your baby is six months old, as long as they continue to eat a variety of iron-rich foods. Let your baby enjoy the taste of plain unsweetened yogurt, or add fresh, canned or frozen fruit.
Why won't my 7 month old stay asleep at night? ›The main reasons behind 7-month-old sleep regression are the development of your baby's brain and the growth spurt that their body is going through. As the baby's brain develops throughout the first year of life, the infant picks up some vital skills along the way.
Why is my 7 month old fighting sleep at night? ›Babies fight sleep for a variety of reasons the seven most common being separation anxiety, overtiredness, overstimulation, teething, hitting a milestone, traveling and discomfort or illness.
Why is my 7 month old waking every 3 hours? ›
The Overview. If your baby is waking every 2-3 hours overnight and easily goes back to sleep with a feeding, hunger is the likely cause. A gradual calorie rebalance should occur to shift extra nighttime feedings back into the day.
Can 7 month old have 2 meals a day? ›Feeding your baby: from around 6 months. When they first start having solid foods, babies do not need 3 meals a day. Babies have tiny tummies, so start by offering them small amounts of food (just a few pieces, or teaspoons of food).
How many times a day should a 7 month old eat purees? ›6 to 8 months:
4 to 9 tablespoons each of cereal, fruit and vegetables a day, spread out over two to three meals.
Start with menu items like pieces of soft cheese; small pieces of pasta or bread; finely chopped soft vegetables; and fruits like bananas, avocado, and ripe peaches or nectarines. These foods should require minimal chewing, as your baby may not yet have teeth.
How do I stop my 7 month old from waking up in the morning? ›If your baby is struggling with early mornings, consider an EARLIER bedtime. I know it doesn't seem to make sense, but earlier bedtimes really do help many families resolve early morning wakings! Even shifting bedtime 20-30 minutes earlier can have a huge impact and help prevent baby waking up early.
Why does my 7 month old wake up every 30 minutes? ›So, if you are seeing your baby wake up at the 30 minute mark, or the 45 minute mark, it's because they are shifting between sleep cycles and briefly moving into a lighter stage of sleep. This is often referred to as the '45 minute intruder'.
Is there a growth spurt at 7 months? ›Growth spurts happen at fairly regular intervals in the first year—typically between weeks 1 and 3, weeks 6 and 8, and during month 3, month 6, and month 9. The good news: growth spurts can disrupt your baby's routine but they typically only last a day or two.
How much milk should a 7 month old drink? ›They should be drinking about six to eight ounces of formula, four to six times per day. Breastfeeding: Seven-month-olds still typically nurse about every three or four hours. Pumping: If you're pumping, baby needs a total of about 25 ounces of breast milk per day.
What solid foods can a 7 month old eat? ›Your child can begin eating solid foods at about 6 months old. By the time he or she is 7 or 8 months old, your child can eat a variety of foods from different food groups. These foods include infant cereals, meat or other proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, yogurts and cheeses, and more.
What are the 3 types of baby cries? ›For infants, crying is the sole form of communication and there are three distinct types: A “basic cry” is a rhythmic pattern consisting of a cry followed by silence; an “anger cry” is similar to a basic cry but with more volume due to the release of excessive air through the infant's vocal chords; and a “pain cry” is ...
What are emotional milestones for 7 month old? ›
- Enjoys social play.
- Interested in mirror images.
- Responds to other people's expressions of emotion and appears joyful often.
Oftentimes you'll notice your baby is beginning to develop self-soothing behaviors when they start to fall asleep on their own at night, or you'll see signs such as moving their head back and forth, playing with feet/sucking on hands, sucking in general (with or without a pacifier), re-positioning/rolling around, or ...
How do I teach my baby to self settle without crying? ›Pick-Up Put-Down Technique
Basically you give your baby a cuddle, say it's time to sleep, then put her in her cot. Then if she grizzles or cries, you pick her up and help her calm down. Then put baby back into bed calm and awake, and have another try to settle in bed. Repeat until baby is calm in bed and falls asleep.
The 2-3-4 nap schedule is for babies who are on two naps a day. The first wake window would be 2 hours, the second would be 3 hours and the last wake window for bed is 4 hours.
What is the 2 3 4 sleep method? ›The idea is that you'll have gradually increasing wake times between naps, with two hours before the first, three hours after that, and four hours just before bedtime. It's designed for babies who can do with just two naps a day, a stage that usually occurs between six and 18 months old.
What is the 2 3 4 schedule for babies? ›The 2,3,4 schedule for napping is pretty simple - two hours after your baby wakes for the day, you put them down for their first nap. Three hours after that nap ends, you put them down for their second nap. Then 4 hours after that 2nd nap ends, you'd put them down for bed.
Should I feed my baby every time he wakes up at night? ›Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours. While waking up a sleeping baby might seem like a bad idea, frequent feedings early on are important for a couple of reasons: Crying is a late sign of hunger.
How do I teach my baby to self settle gently? ›Basically you give your baby a cuddle, say it's time to sleep, then put her in her cot. Then if she grizzles or cries, you pick her up and help her calm down. Then put baby back into bed calm and awake, and have another try to settle in bed. Repeat until baby is calm in bed and falls asleep.
How do I know if my baby is waking from hunger or habit? ›So if your baby really is hungry, they usually won't go back to sleep very easily until they've been fed. If they nod off after five or ten minutes of crying, that's a pretty reliable sign that they were just looking for some help getting back to sleep and not actually in need of a feed.
What is the crib hour method? ›“Crib hour” is when you leave your baby in the crib for one full hour, from the minute he or she falls asleep. So, for example, if you put your baby in the crib at 8:45am for their first nap and they fall asleep at 9:00am, you do not get them out of the crib at 9:45am but at 10:00am instead.
Will an overtired baby eventually sleep? ›
It's important to remember that an overtired baby will become well-rested once you focus on helping baby get more sleep, day and night. There is an end in sight – your baby will sleep! Also, it's okay to remove yourself from the situation. Really, anything relaxing will do.
How do babies tell you they love you? ›When your baby gazes into your eyes when they're in your arms, it's baby's way of expressing they're attracted to you, and want to get to know you even better. Babies will try to copy your facial expressions, test it out by sticking out your tongue when baby is gazing at you, they may well copy.
What time should 7 month old last nap end? ›When should the last nap end for a 7 month old?# Most seven month olds will need a 3 to 3.5-hour wake window prior to bedtime. Ending the last nap by 4:30 pm will allow that full wake window and help you hit a sweet spot bedtime of 7:00-8:00 pm.
What is a rescue nap? ›What is a rescue nap 🤔 This is a short assisted nap (in arms or pram) that helps you keep on track with your routine and saves your baby from becoming overtired or from napping to early. If you have an early riser or a cat napping baby, then give this a go if you want to keep your routine.
Why won't my 7 month old sleep longer than 30 minutes? ›In general, if your baby is taking a 30-minute nap or less, she is likely overtired and needs less time between naps. If your baby is waking up 45 minutes or so into a nap, she is likely not tired enough and needs more wake time.
What to do if 7 month old misses a nap? ›What to do if your baby misses a nap? If your baby misses a nap that is in between another nap, just skip the nap and continue your schedule to the next nap. Try to keep your little one as comfortable as possible to reduce them from getting even fussier.
How many bottles should a 7 month old have? ›Your baby's nutritional needs should be met with a daily combination of around four bottle feeds, or more milk feeds if they are breastfed, plus some solid foods.
Can you give a 7 month old scrambled eggs? ›You can give your baby the entire egg (yolk and white), if your pediatrician recommends it. Around 6 months, puree or mash one hard-boiled or scrambled egg and serve it to your baby. For a more liquid consistency, add breast milk or water. Around 8 months, scrambled egg pieces are a fantastic finger food.
Is 3 bottles a day enough for 7 month old? ›At 7 months old, your formula-fed baby will most likely drink 6- to 8-ounce bottles three to five times a day. By the time they're 8 months old, they'll have three or four bottles per day.
What finger food can a 7 month have? ›Start with menu items like pieces of soft cheese; small pieces of pasta or bread; finely chopped soft vegetables; and fruits like bananas, avocado, and ripe peaches or nectarines. These foods should require minimal chewing, as your baby may not yet have teeth.
What is the weight of baby at the end of 7th month? ›
Month 7. At the end of 7 months: Baby is 14 to 16 inches long. Weight is about 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 pounds.